July, 2018 - Braunfotel and Frendel

How homeowners can improve pool safety

The CDC estimates that there are 7.4 million swimming pools in residential and public use in the U.S. Homeowners in New York will want to consider the following three safety tips if they own a pool. Though more than 3,500 non-boating drowning accidents occur each year in this country, drowning is not the only concern to watch out for.First, homeowners should secure the pool perimeter with a climb-resistant fence and an alarm. The fence should be at least 4 feet high, and the vertical slats should be spaced no more than 4 inches apart. The gate should be a self-closing gate, and the latch should be above the reach of small children. Homeowners should be aware that they are protecting their pools against trespassing children too, not just their own.Every [...]

How homeowners can improve pool safetyjames2018-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

Drug charges follow ongoing probe by New York task force

Five men were recently arrested after a drug bust at a Bronx apartment. Reportedly, a Drug Enforcement Administration-New York Police Department task force had a 46-year-old suspect under surveillance when they noticed he came out of an apartment building, carrying a shopping bag after entering empty-handed. They followed his vehicle, pulled it over and found him in possession of 1 kilo of suspected heroin. He is one of the New York men who is now facing drug charges.Reportedly, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the apartment at which they saw the man earlier. Authorities say investigators seized more heroin of which 11 kilos were found in a closet in a bedroom, and 10 kilos were discovered in a hiding place in a wall behind the medicine cabinet in the [...]

Drug charges follow ongoing probe by New York task forcejames2018-07-26T00:00:00+00:00

Construction workers’ accidents: Worker suffers fatal head trauma

Scaffolding structures pose different safety hazards. This fact was recently underscored at a New York work site in Upper Manhattan. Not only are the workers on a scaffold at risk of falling but also those working at lower levels who might be struck by falling objects from above. Construction workers' accidents involving scaffolds have claimed many lives over the years.Reportedly, employees of a construction and renovation company were working on the exterior of a building that served as the residence of students from various universities. While dismantling the scaffold structure from the top earlier this month, two workers dropped one of the beams. Another worker who was working at a lower level was struck against the head.The 28-year-old construction worker was transported to a medical facility. Sadly, he succumbed to [...]

Construction workers’ accidents: Worker suffers fatal head traumajames2018-07-26T00:00:00+00:00

More people dying from asbestos exposure than previously thought

A recent study from the International Commission of Occupational Health, or ICOH, indicates that more people have died from asbestos exposure in New York and around the world than previously reported. The Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health published the study.ICOH reports that asbestos killed 222,321 people worldwide in 2016. Of those deaths, 39,275 took place in the United States. These numbers are more than twice the estimates issued by multiple government and nongovernment agencies. The study points out that asbestos exposure can lead to a long list of serious health conditions. Mesothelioma is the most well-known asbestos-related disease, but it isn't the most common one. Lung cancer was actually the most common result of asbestos exposure in 2016, causing 34,270 deaths across the U.S. Mesothelioma was the second [...]

More people dying from asbestos exposure than previously thoughtjames2018-07-25T00:00:00+00:00

Drunk driving could result in vehicular manslaughter charges

Most of us are aware that driving a vehicle while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs is a crime in the state of New York and can result in drunk driving charges and a DUI conviction. However, if someone was killed in an alleged drunk driving accident, then you may be charged with intoxicated manslaughter and face even more serious consequences.In New York, drivers may be charged with either first-degree or second-degree vehicular manslaughter. Second-degree vehicular manslaughter is a class D felony and charges can stem from any form of illegal driving, from driving while intoxicated to driving while texting.Second-degree charges may be upped to first-degree vehicular manslaughter, a class C felony, depending on the status of the driver and the circumstances surrounding the incident. For example, drivers with [...]

Drunk driving could result in vehicular manslaughter chargesjames2018-07-25T00:00:00+00:00

Workplace safety committees

Every day, there is the risk of getting injured at work. No matter where you work or what you do, there is always the potential of getting injured in the workplace.Leading a safety committee (or starting one if there isn't one in place) is a great way to keep everyone safe in the workplace.Here's what to know about being part of a great safety committee at work.Bring a friendA great safety committee has people who represent different people from the organization. Ideally, it would have representatives from all levels and all shifts. A diverse group of people in the committee will help determine what changes, if any, should be made to the current procedures.By talking about safety committee to other coworkers (especially those who are on different shifts and those [...]

Workplace safety committeesjames2018-07-19T00:00:00+00:00

Workers’ compensation claim may follow electrocution death

Employers in New York are responsible for the safety and health of their employees. As part of that responsibility, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration expects employers to provide safety training to equip all workers with the knowledge of the potential hazards they may face and how to avoid injuries. Specific fields like electrical work are particularly hazardous, and thousands of victims of electrical shocks file workers' compensation claims every year - sadly, many victims of such shocks do not survive.The New York State police recently reported one such an incident after the electrocution of a 39-year-old subcontractor for a telecommunications company. A spokesperson for the utility company says the subcontractor worked on a broadband expansion. Reportedly, the worker threw a line over the primary electrical cables, causing the deadly [...]

Workers’ compensation claim may follow electrocution deathjames2018-07-17T00:00:00+00:00

Drug charges filed after discovery of suspected meth laboratory

Following his arrest shortly after 10 a.m. on a recent Sunday, a 30-year-old New York man was sent to the jail in Fulton County after his arraignment in City Court. He is facing several drug charges related to unlawful methamphetamine manufacturing and disposal of laboratory material used in methamphetamine manufacturing. The arrest followed a report that police received about the discovery of some equipment used in the production of drugs.In response to the report, police inspected the materials that were recovered and confirmed the suspicions. They allege the man they arrested ran a clandestine methamphetamine drug laboratory. They based their allegations on evidence they collected and interviews that were conducted. It was also revealed that this man faced previous criminal charges involving a forged instrument and unlicensed operation in 2016.Along [...]

Drug charges filed after discovery of suspected meth laboratoryjames2018-07-17T00:00:00+00:00

Transportation accidents and crime top sources of worker deaths

New York workers whose jobs involve transportation face a heightened risk of death and injury while at work. Data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from the 2016 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries revealed the most dangerous occupations nationwide and the sources of danger. In 2016, transportation-related accidents were the top cause of fatal incidents across industries and accounted for 40 percent of workplace deaths. During that year, 632 truck drivers, 116 farmers and 62 landscapers had deaths attributed to transportation.Workplace violence emerged as the second leading cause of death, exceeding even slips, trips and falls. A professor of criminology explained that killing sprees by disgruntled employees did not end as many lives as crimes like robberies and assaults by customers.Overall, people in the logging industry faced the greatest [...]

Transportation accidents and crime top sources of worker deathsjames2018-07-16T00:00:00+00:00

Numerous acts can constitute larceny in New York

Sometimes mistakes are made. A person in New York might accidentally take property they think is theirs. Other times, however, a person purposely steals property, with no intent of giving it back to its owner. When this happens, it may constitute the crime of larceny.Under New York Penal Code $155.05, an individual commits larceny when he or she takes property without the property owner's permission and with the intention of permanently depriving that person of the property. There are a number of ways a wrongful taking can take when it comes to larceny.One way is known as common law larceny. This is when a person commits a trespassory taking or a taking by trick, embezzlement or false pretenses. Another way is if a person writes a bad check. A third [...]

Numerous acts can constitute larceny in New Yorkjames2018-07-13T00:00:00+00:00

Tell Us How We Can Help

Our Office Location